Plans Check Process and Types of Review

The plans check process is a technical review of your plans by some or all of the following, depending upon the particular project, your plans will be reviewed by some or all of the following:

Current Planning (Planning and Development): Verify that the plans comply with council imposed conditions and all applicable zoning ordinances.

Redevelopment Agency (Office of Business Development): Verify that all projects within the redevelopment area are consistent with the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.

Land Development (Public Works): Verify that plans comply with council imposed conditions, all applicable ordinances, and public improvement aspects of construction (right-of-way, flood control, traffic engineering, off-site improvements, etc.)

Architectural (Building and Safety): Scope of work, location, life safety, code compliance, occupancy, type of construction, square footage / allowable area site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, framing, roof, elevations, accessibility, etc.

Structural (Building and Safety): Structural integrity, type of construction, materials, strengths, overall dimensions and locations of all structural elements and openings, structural calculations, specific construction components.

Plumbing/Mechanical (Building and Safety): All plumbing and mechanical systems, equipment, and materials, Model Energy Code requirements.

Electrical (Building and Safety): All electrical fixtures, circuiting, grounding, panel schedules, diagrams, load calculations, etc.

Fire (Fire Services): Fire/life safety protection systems, fire sprinklers, alarms, hazardous materials, fire flow calculations, etc.

Each of the above agencies reviews plans in accordance with codes, ordinances, regulations and standards applicable to its specific area of responsibility.

Plan Check Timelines

How long will Plans Check take?
Plan review time is dependent upon  the size and complexity of the project. The department makes every effort to review plans as quickly as possible. Several options, such as Express Plans Review are available to expedite this process.

Again, much depends on the quality and completeness of the original submission and response time in correcting problems. The permit technician can give you an approximate time frame when he or she brings your plans into the system.

Projects can be fast-tracked through the plan review process in several ways including voluntary overtime pay for plans checkers, and, by special arrangement, incremental issue of permits (i.e., grading, foundation only, shell building, etc.) so that construction can commence before final plan review is completed. (A cautionary note: The applicant assumes a certain degree of risk if he chooses to follow the later alternative in that he may complete work which subsequent reviews may require to be changed.)

Plan Check Problems
Plans examiners work on a "first in, first out" basis, by effective date of receipt of plans, with the exception that miscellaneous minor projects are reviewed first. Each functional area (electrical, architectural, etc.) gets a daily printout of plans awaiting review in the order of date received (oldest first). For a detailed list of typical plans check problems, check under related links below.

If a problem is encountered, the plans examiner will call the applicant, discuss the problem and follow up with a fax, if applicable. The speed with which the problem is resolved will determine how quickly the plans review process can proceed. If a problem cannot be resolved at the plans check level, you may wish to file an appeal.

Other Agencies
Depending upon your specific project, you may need to contact or visit other agencies outside the city of Las Vegas. These may include the

•  Clark County Health District
•  Las Vegas Valley Water District
• State of Nevada